Argentina national football team head coach Lionel Scaloni has formally dismissed the intense global speculation surrounding Lionel Messi retirement. Speaking in an exclusive interview with prominent sports outlet Diario Ole, Scaloni emphasized that the World Cup-winning captain has no immediate plans to step away from international football. The manager stated that Messi will continue to play for as long as he desires, adding that a historic appearance at the upcoming 2026 World Cup in North America would not surprise the coaching staff.The 38-year-old maestro`s future remains entirely under his own jurisdiction.
Despite completing his ultimate career ambition by lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy in Qatar, Messi retains an undiminished hunger for competitive victories. The Inter Miami forward is currently undergoing isolated training modules due to a minor hamstring issue, but the Argentine camp expects him to be fully fit before their opening tournament match against Algeria on June 17. Scaloni noted that strategic decisions regarding Messi`s playing minutes are always made collaboratively after direct discussions, asserting that the forward`s mere presence on the pitch completely disrupts opposition tactical frameworks.
